June

June was the start of our summer, but it definitely didn't start out on such a fun note. 

On the night of the 31st of May, I caught the nasty stomach bug the kids had going on, and I didn't handle it well AT ALL. 

I don't think I've ever been that sick before. I was throwing up every 5 - 15 minutes for almost 8 hours. I couldn't hold down water, I couldn't sleep, and I was so dehydrated and sick I couldn't even cry. I finally woke Caleb up and told him I wasn't doing well. He took one look and said he'd take us to the ER as soon as I felt I could manage it. I waited a whole 45 minutes (which felt like an eternity) before giving in and begging him to take me there. The kids were pretty confused over it all (they're not used to being woken up in the middle of the night), but I was so miserable and so sick that we felt we had no other option. They of course had to run labs and monitor vitals at the ER, but they also gave me fluids and Zofran. I felt a lot better after the fluids but was still sick for the next couple days after going home. 

Unfortunately, I got my sweet husband sick and he was down on the 2nd with it. The kids were off and on for a while as well. 

On the 5th, Evelynn's dance camp started. The first day was Princess day and after much deliberation, she decided she wanted to wear her Elsa dress. 

She was pretty proud of her crown that she got to make, but she wasn't so excited to stand in the sun and take pictures again  afterwards lol

The next day was Teddy-Bear day! She voted to bring her pink baby teddy bear. 

Evelynn nearly got ran over in the parking lot after class this day. I was reminding her to look for cars and she was looking right as she steps out between cars and a lady comes zooming around the cornor. I started screaming (of course, what mother wouldn't?!) and the lady slammed on her brakes. I was so mad because she was going over 20 at least. In a parking lot where little girls are wandering around, people should WATCHING OUT AND DRIVE SLOW! She started crying because she was so scared and I was shaking so hard I couldn't drive home for a bit until I'd calmed down. 

 This little Liam boy has been needing attention lately when he feels like brother or sister are getting something he isn't. So, he brought a hat to me and we snagged some pictures. 

Lately Miss Evelynn has been telling us that she's "not tired" at bedtime.  After the long day of dancing and the little near-mishap in the parking lot, the fell asleep insisting she "wasn't tired". 

 The last day of dance camp was Swimsuit day! 

She had chosen to wear her pink swimsuit that day. 

 She was pretty thrilled about showing off the beachball she got! 

 On the 8th this girl took a nap. On my lap. After throwing a temper tantrum. Guess she was pretty worn out! ;-) 

On the 9th it was dentist day for Evelynn and Connor. They were pretty excited about it because they were hoping to be in the no cavity club again! (They were). 

 On the 10th we all went to a BBQ at one of Caleb's friends houses. Something that Utah seems to do is that every town has their own celebration day complete with a parade. Some call it Heritage days, some call it Founders day, others call it a bunch of other names I don't recall off the top of my head. But anyways, on this day it was Riverdale's special day, so they had a parade. The kids were pretty excited about it. They were pretty much the only kids there (another one arrived partway through the parade, but that was it for kids). 

 My littlest boy has reached a phase where he's fighting naps. I've dreaded this day for so long! 

This is how nap time looks lately. 

 On the 15th we went to Idaho after Caleb got off work. I had to put on my workshop for my Practicum class and had felt like it was a smart choice to take a trip for it. 

 Also, I got to meet my niece!!!!! Isn't little Emma the sweetest?!

 Connor was feeling a bit overwhelemed the next day. Fridays can be like that sometimes. Sometimes he gets overstimulated and just needs some quiet time away from the other kids. He usually doesn't want me to hang around, but on that day, he did. So I snapped some pictures (because like I said, it's rare). 

 That afternoon my Dad treated all of the grandkids to Cars 3 on opening day. Evelynn wasn't happy it wasn't a princess movie, but she started off smiley because Grandpa had bought lots of popcorn. 

Liam slept through some of it, but loved what he did see. And Connor LOVED it! 

When we got back, the kids all happily played outside and we decided to snap a picture with Grandma and all the Grandkids. 

 In the evening our little family went to visit Deanna (Grandma Anderson)'s house! I didn't take pictures to document it, but the kids were excited to see Aunt Shandrie and her friend Hannah (Connor is quite a fan of her and they did a lot of dancing at Cami & Brian's wedding this last spring), and Aunt Cami and Uncle Brian showed up for a little bit as well! 

On Saturday morning Jessica, Melinda, my mom, and me had planned a girls day at the temple. On the drive there Jessie realized her recommend had expired. When we got there, I realized I had left mine at my parent's house! I was so embarrassed, but luckily I was still able to get in after they verified I had an active recommend. Jessie ended up staying with Emma. It was such a fun experience though because I ran into my high school French teacher! She was always one of my favorite teachers, so it was cool to catch up a bit. 

 That afternoon we got to meet up with one of my best friends from high school and see her brand new baby! (BABY FIX GALORE!)

Then that evening Caleb and I went to prep for my workshop. My mom walked all the grandkids down to their church together so our hands wouldn't be as full (she's wonderful!!!)

I had a remarkable turnout and had a lot of fun with the first workshop. I was overwhelmed by such a supportive family and so many great friends who attended`! 

The next day was Father's Day. We don't often get to spend father's day with my dad, so I made sure to grab pictures. 

 On the way out of town we stopped to see Deanna and Shandrie again (the kids didn't even get out of the car, just waved from the window). 

The kiddos and I went to the park on the 19th. 

 On the 21st, we got to see Grandpa and Grandma again! They were stopping by on their way to Colorado. they took us to dinner that night and when we got back home, my Dad played some WiiU with Connor. You need to understand that THIS JUST DOESNT HAPPEN... like EVER! Connor was so happy his Papa would play with him!

On the 24th we went CAMPING! (You can read about it here. ) 

On the 25th, Grandpa & Grandma West stopped by again on their way back from Colorado. 

I think between the sickies and the busy-ness, my kiddos have a pretty exhausting June. 

This is what Liam thought of it: 

 On the 29th I had the wonderful opportunity to do a session at the Ogden Temple with some of the Relief Society sisters. It was just what I had needed after a stressful month! 

We went for Ice cream afterwards and it was fun/funny to learn that one of the ladies in the ward graduated with my father-in-law! Barthlome isn't exactly common so she figured she'd ask. "I graduated with a Greg Barthlome. Any relation?" Yes, definitely a relation! Small world! (But not really that strange when we're living right outside his hometown ;-) ). 

 The next day, my sister's family came into town!